Moving across the country can be a huge undertaking, whether you’re doing it alone or with your family. With the right motivation, such as relocating for a job or to be near friends or loved ones, it also can be an exciting step forward.
While planning a cross-country move takes careful coordination, paying for it is a whole other ballgame. Moving loans like personal loans could be a good way to cover the cost of transporting your belongings across the country. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of using a personal loan for a cross-country move and to explore alternative ways to pay.
How Much Does A Cross-Country Move Cost?
The cost of a cross-country move depends on a number of factors. These include:
- How far your items need to be transported
- Whether you’re driving versus flying, as well as your need for food and lodging along the way
- How much stuff you have and how fragile or valuable it is
- Whether you’re renting a moving truck to drive yourself or hiring movers
- Whether you’re doing your own packing or hiring a professional service
Angi, a company that connects homeowners with local service professionals, puts the average cost of a cross-country move at $4,567, with a range of $2,389 – $6,867. The best way to estimate the cost of a cross-country move is to speak to different moving services and ask for quotes.
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Why It Pays To Look At A Personal Loan To Pay For A Cross-Country Move
If you’re looking to take out a loan for moving expenses, a personal loan could be a good option to consider. A personal loan is an unsecured loan that isn’t tied to any specific asset. Lenders generally allow you to use your loan proceeds however you see fit. To qualify for a competitive interest rate on a personal loan, you generally need good credit.
A personal loan differs from a mortgage, which is backed by the home it’s used to finance and can be used only to finance a home purchase.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of a personal loan for a cross-country move.
Fixed, Predictable Payments
Most personal loans come with a fixed interest rate and a fixed payment schedule. This means you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to pay each month. That could make budgeting easier as you adjust to life in your new location.
Competitive Interest Rates For Borrowers With Good Credit
Compared to credit cards, personal loans tend to offer competitive interest rates. The higher your credit score is when you apply for a personal loan, the better the interest rate you’ll get. Typically, lenders require a minimum credit score of 580-600 for a personal loan.
Quick Access To Loan Proceeds
Personal loans tend to close very quickly, often within a few days. If you’re under pressure to relocate suddenly, a personal loan could be a good moving loan to consider.
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How To Get A Good Interest Rate On A Personal Loan
If you’re going to use a personal loan as a moving loan, it’s important to try to lock in the lowest rate you can, as that will lead to lower monthly payments. Here are some steps to take.
Check Your Credit Report And Credit Score
The higher your credit score is, the more likely it is you’ll get a great rate on a personal loan. Review your credit score as well as your credit report for any red flags before applying.
It may be that your credit report has an error that’s bringing down your credit score, like a delinquent debt you actually paid on time. Disputing credit report errors and getting them resolved could give your credit score a boost.
Shop Around With Different Lenders
Any time you’re looking to borrow money, it pays to compare offers across different lenders. Before you sign a personal loan, shop around. Carefully read the offers different lenders give you to see which is best.
Don’t just pay attention to interest rates when reviewing those offers. Also look at origination fees and repayment terms.
A loan you pay off over a shorter time frame might come with higher monthly payments, but that could mean paying less interest in total. A loan with a longer repayment period might come with smaller monthly payments that are easier on your budget in the near term, but that could mean paying more interest in total.
Figure Out Your Total Moving Costs
When shopping for a personal loan, you’ll need to know how much money you’re looking to borrow. Get estimates from movers ahead of time, and factor in any other expenses you might incur, like airfare or hotel stays.
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How To Manage A Personal Loan For A Cross-Country Move
If you’re going to take out a personal loan for a cross-country move, it’s important to manage it strategically. Here’s how.
Borrow Only What You Need
You may be tempted to borrow extra money to give yourself a financial cushion. But remember, the larger the loan you take out is, the higher your monthly payments will be and the more interest you’re likely to pay. Instead, estimate your moving costs very carefully and borrow enough to cover them in full without going overboard.
Set A Budget
Once you’re settled into your new location, put yourself on a budget so you’re able to make your personal loan payments in full without falling behind. That budget should account for your essential costs, like food and transportation, as well as any debt payments you have.
Automate Your Monthly Payments
Being late with personal loan payments, or any loan payments for that matter, could result in damage to your credit score. To avoid that, you might want to set up automatic payments so your personal loan is taken care of every month.
Other Ways To Pay For A Cross-Country Move
A personal loan could be a good solution if you need to pay for a move across the country, but it isn’t your only option. Here are some other possible solutions.
Save Up The Money Ahead Of Time
If you know ahead of time that you’ll be moving, get quotes from movers to estimate your costs of relocating and save up the money in advance. Not having to borrow means you won’t rack up interest on a new loan or have to deal with making monthly payments as you try to settle into your new routine.
If your main job doesn’t pay enough for you to save for a move, consider a side hustle to earn extra income.
Take Out A Home Equity Loan
Perhaps you’re moving across the country for a year to care for a loved one or to see if a new job will work out, but you’re planning to keep your current home that you own. If you have equity in that home, you may be able to borrow against it in the form of a home equity loan.
Like personal loans, home equity loans can be suitable moving loans because they come with a fixed interest rate and predictable monthly payments. Shopping around for a home equity loan is a good way to score a competitive interest rate.
Use A 0% Interest Credit Card
Charging expenses on a credit card can be risky because interest can accumulate quickly. If you’re confident you can pay off your moving expenses fairly soon, a 0% interest credit card may be an appropriate solution for financing a cross-country move.
With a 0% interest credit card, you get to carry a balance for a preset period of time without accruing interest. The length of that interest-free period depends on the card you sign up for. However, you are still required to make a minimum monthly payment each month. Just be careful, because if you don’t pay off your complete balance by the time your introductory period comes to an end, the interest rate on your card could go from 0% to a very large number, depending on the terms of your card. For context, in November 2025, the average credit card interest rate was 20.97% , according to Federal Reserve data.
Negotiate A Relocation Package
If you’re moving across the country for a job, you may be able to negotiate a relocation assistance package with your employer. That could leave you with enough money to cover the cost of a move without having to take out a loan.
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The Bottom Line: You Can Use A Personal Loan For Cross-Country Moving Expenses
If you need to borrow money to pay for a cross-country move, a personal loan offers the benefit of fixed, predictable monthly payments that may be reasonably easy to fit into your budget. Just make sure to shop around for a personal loan to get the best deal. And before you take out a personal loan for moving expenses, make sure you understand the terms and conditions completely so there are no surprises.
Interested in using a personal loan to cover moving expenses? Compare personal loan lenders and rates.
Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman has more than a decade of experience covering personal finance topics that include mortgages, loans, retirement, Social Security, and investing. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she worked in the financial industry as well as in product design and marketing. Maurie holds a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University, where she studied creative writing and finance. She was happy to combine her two areas of study into a career that allows her to educate consumers on a host of financial topics.
